We present searches for the leptonic decays B + → ℓ+nu and the lepton flavor violating decays B0 → ℓ+/-tau ∓, where ℓ = e, mu, with data collected by the BABAR experiment at SLAC. These searches utilize a technique in which we fully reconstruct the accompanying B¯ in Upsilon(4S) → BB¯ events, and look for a monoenergetic lepton in the signal B frame. The signal yield in the data is extracted from a fit to the signal lepton candidate momentum distribution in the signal B rest frame. Using a data sample of approximately 378 million BB¯ pairs (342 fb-1), we find no evidence of signal in any of the decay modes. Branching fraction upper limits of B (B+ → e +nu) < 5.2 x 10-6, B (B+ → mu+nu) < 5.6 x 10-6, B (B0 → e +tau-) < 2.8 x 10-5 and B (B0 → mu+tau -) < 2.2 x 10-5, are obtained at the 90% confidence level.

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This thesis describes an analysis of the process e⁺e^— → l⁺l^- (where l = e, μ,, τ) at centre-of-mass energies between 88 GeV and 94 GeV, using the data collected by the DELPHI detector between the years 1991 and 1993. The leptonic decays of the Z° boson are selected without attempting to separate the three lepton types, thus making it an inclusive lepton analysis. The theory behind lepton pair production is introduced and the extraction of various electroweak parameters from the experimental observables is discussed. The LEP collider and the DELPHI detector are described, with special emphasis being given to the sub-detectors used in the analysis. The criteria used to select a high purity leptonic sample are described along with calculations of various backgrounds and efficiencies. The sample of selected leptonic events is then used to measure the cross-sections and forward-backward asymmetries. Finally, a fit to these cross-sections and asymmetries, together with the hadronic (e⁺e^- → qq̄) cross-sections, is carried out. Various Z° parameters are obtained: the mass and total width Mz-91.1876 ± 0.0052 GeV/c², Γ_z = 2.4971 ± 0.0061 GeV, the ratio of the hadronic to leptonic partial widths R_l = 20.73 ± 0.09, and the pole leptonic asymmetry (A°_FB)¹ = 0.0195 ± 0.0042. Using these results and the value of the strong coupling constant (α_s), determined by the DELPHI collaboration, the number of light neutrino species is determined to be N_ν = 3.045 ± 0.035. The leptonic partial width is found to be: Γ_l = 83.82 ± 0.29 MeV. Using the measured leptonic forward-backward asymmetries, the squared vector and axial-vector couplings of the Z° to charged leptons are found to be (ĝ_v¹)^{2</sup = (1.65 ± 0.36) x 10^-3 and (ĝ_a¹)}2</sup> = 0.2505 ± 0.0009. These values can be used to determine the effective rho parameter and the effective weak mixing angle: p̂ = 1.0020 ± 0.0036, and sin² θ^eff_lept = 0.2297 ± 0.0024. A full Standard Model fit to the data gives the values of the strong coupling constant, α_s, and the mass of the top quark, m_top, as being: α_s = 0.123 ± 0.010, m_top = 178⁺²²_-25 (expt)<sup>+18<sup>_-16(Higg s)GeV/c², where 60 < m_Higgs (GeV/c²) < 1000 with a central value of 300 GeV/c². All the results obtained agree with the results from the lepton-identified analyses (analyses in which leptonic events are selected on the basis of their individual flavour) and with the predictions of the Standard Model.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / The study of ²²Na beta decay offers an opportunity to test the Standard Model of Particle Physics via measurements of the β−γ angular correlation. A previous measurement of this correlation yielded a non-zero value, indicating the need for a higher-order matrix element to the decay, beyond the allowed V − A approximation. On assuming the Conserved Vector Current (CVC) hypothesis for weak interactions and using the magnetic dipole M1 width of the analog 2+ state in ²²Na, one obtains an unexpectedly large 'second-class' form factor for 22Na β decay that is in disagreement with the Standard Model prediction. This thesis describes an analysis of data obtained from a previous ²¹Ne(p, γ) experiment to obtain the M1 width of the 2+ state of interest in ²²Na. This work aims to use the M1 width and the independently measured of the β − γ angular correlation to obtain a higher-order Standard-Model-allowed weak magnetism form factor for the decay, in an attempt to explain the observed anomaly mentioned above. / National Research Foundation (NRF)